The Governor's Conference on Minority Business Development, Marketplace 2004, will be held on September 21-22, 2004 at the Ho-Chunk Casino Hotel & Convention Center in Baraboo. Marketplace 2004 will provide a good opportunity for businesses to learn how to increase access to capital, as well as showcase their unique products and services to government procurement officers and corporate buyers.

Business benefits of Marketplace 2004 include:

• Financial prospecting opportunity for minority businesses with organizations such as Government Supported Lenders, Commercial Lenders, Angel Investors and Investment Bankers
• Learning to prepare business plans and ideas for grants and loan processes
• A comprehensive, cost-effective sales and marketing opportunity for minority vendors
  
• A networking forum for minority vendors, representatives of business and resource agencies

To request a brochure or for more information contact: Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Bureau of Minority Business Development, 201 W. Washington Avenue, 6th floor, P.O. Box 7970, Madison, WI 53707. Phone: (608) 267-9550; Fax (608) 267-2829 or Email: MBD@commerce.state.wi.us

--Shelly Harkins

The newsletter is issued electronically every other month.

Please send comments or questions to Barbro McGinn, editor.